Help to pay rent, mortgage and Council Tax
Pay your rent
There are 3 possible ways to get help with paying your rent.
1. Housing Benefit (HB)
May be an option if you are eligible for a ‘legacy benefit’ such as Employment and Support Allowance, Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance. You may also be able to claim HB if you are of state pension age or living in temporary accommodation.
When you claim HB you can also claim help with paying your Council Tax.
2. Universal Credit (UC)
This is now the most likely way of getting help with paying rent. When making a claim for UC either online or by phone, make sure you give details about your rent, including any service charges you may have to pay.
3. Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)
DHP could also be claimed if you are eligible for housing costs through HB or UC. Apply for Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP) on our website.
When claiming DHP it is important that you state the full detail of your household expenditure. Often people think they should not include detail such as TV subscriptions, alcohol or smoking costs, and they can forget to include insurance costs. These can all be counted as legitimate costs which may improve the chance of being awarded DHP.
Some landlords may have funds available to help tenants pay their rent. Ask your housing officer what may be available.
Council tenants may be eligible for the Tenant Hardship Fund if impacted by the cost of living crisis. Find out about paying your Council rent on our website.
If your income reduces or gets disrupted, payment of rent may suffer. As paying rent is a priority to maintain accommodation, tenants should keep in touch with their landlord to work out how rent can be paid.
Tenants renting from a private landlord may be more at risk from losing their tenancy if the rent is not paid. It is important that tenants communicate with their landlord and get advice as early as possible. Get help if you have received a Notice to Quit or Notice to Leave on our website.
Pay your mortgage
If you are struggling to pay your mortgage then you may get help direct from your mortgage provider. You may be able to agree a three-month mortgage payment holiday. Contact your mortgage provider to find out more.
If you are on a low income and claiming benefits such as Universal Credit, Employment & Support Allowance or Income Support you may be eligible for assistance from the DWP to pay your mortgage interest. See Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) for details, be aware that the SMI scheme is a loan that must be paid back. It is best to get financial advice before entering into a SMI arrangement.
Pay your Council Tax
Find out about help paying Council Tax for people on low incomes, living alone or in special circumstances on our website for details.
There are many people who get into debt with their Council Tax and there can be a significant cost to repaying such debt. Never forget to deal with Council Tax matters. There is help available to get you through difficult times.